Abstract [en]

Social welfare published in year 1999 a report which pointed out the need of clearer economic rules for handling hidden children in school. Hidden children are defined as rejected refugee who refused to leave Sweden. The children are hiding, alone or with their family. A few of these children have been in school for several years, helped by principals, school staff, nonprofit organizations and church. From 1 July 2013 hidden children has the right to education on equal terms with asylum seekers and Swedish nationals, with the exception of grades. They'll still be no official trace of them, which means that only selected people know about the child's true identity.Previous research has predominantly focused on asylum seekers from the child's perspective, or medical interest. This study focus on an economic perspective. After the new change in the law, schools may apply for standard contribution for hidden students. Government contributed in 2013 with 25 million, and in 2014 by 50 million. The whole reform is estimated to cost over 100 million.This study shows that hidden children now have the right for support in home language, individualized curriculum, school transportation, counselor and special education. Even before change in the law, the school helped in many cases with smaller sums for activity after school, eyeglasses, medications, etc. Help to the hidden pupil was settled before by the principal. The school cooperates as far as possible with non-profit organizations and church. It helps vulnerable children to partake of donated clothes and food.Anonymous interviews were conducted with two nurses and a principal. Their response has contributed to the economic image of hidden students in the school. Seven schools in Trollhättan was observed. General assumptions were drawn from the results, that the area and the opportunity for hidden children to blend in, affecting the choice of school for these vulnerable students. The conclusion, however, found that all the schools in Sweden may receive hidden children in the near future. The law forbids them to deny any child education from 2013. New conduct must therefore be developed to education staff for handle these unofficial children the best possible financial and from children's perspective.